The Hong Kong Education Bureau has released the findings of a study into the provision of international school places in Hong Kong. This study comes against a backdrop of lobbying from chambers of commerce to increase places and criticism from the public that provision is inadequate. The findings of the study are likely to inform future government policy.
According to findings of the survey in 2015/16 there were 6,120 and 16,310 secondary school places provided in English Schools Foundation (ESF) and other international schools respectively, which in the case of the latter has gradually increased each year. The number of non-local students enrolled in secondary schools are projected to increase 5% by 2022/23, and the number of local students is expected to more than double. Overall demand is expected to increase by 23%.
Perhaps controversially, the study suggests that there will be no shortfall in the provision of international school places, and the recommendation is only that the government should monitor supply and demand.
Commentary by Steve Corry, Head of Education Marketing Services (steven.corry@britishcouncil.org.hk):
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The findings of the study suggest that the Education Bureau will not bow to demand to significantly increase international school places in Hong Kong in the next few years. However the study does illustrate that international school student populations will continue to increase, which is good news for UK universities looking to recruit high quality students. With local secondary school populations declining in the last few years, an increasing number of international school graduates will help to partially maintain the size of the Hong Kong student recruitment market.